Slaps on the Wrist

The two Balinese traffic policemen disgraced before the world via Youtube extorting a Dutch journalist have been given disciplinary sanctions.

The Jakarta Globe quoted National Police spokesman, Agus Rianto, who said, “Second Inspector Komang Sarjana will get a longer detention [period] of 21 days in a special cell and Sergeant Major Putu Indra Jaya will be detained for 14 days.”

In addition to being caged at police headquarters in Bali, both men will be exempted from participating in educational programs for one year, which, together with their now blemished service records, will retard their future advancement through the ranks.

Both policemen also potentially face criminal charges for their involvement in corruption that carry maximum penalties of Rp. 1 billion (US$100,00) in fines and 20 years imprisonment. Continuing, Rianto explained: “For the time being, this is a disciplinary violation. But we’re still going to look into it. If we slap criminal charges, it’s going to take a while because we will have to look for van der Spek, who could already be in another country by now. That’s why we’re giving disciplinary [sanctions]. We will definitely impose criminal charges if criminal elements are met,”

The police contend that Kees van der Spek, who works for Dutch TV channel SBS6 and produced the now viral video clip would need to bear witness against the two policemen in order for the criminal charges to move forward.

This is however, legally problematic, as the video which also documents van der Spek offering and paying the bribes, which opens the possibility, endorsed in many quarters, of charging the Dutchman with corruption.

A series of three videos, viewable via the link below, show van der Spek paying bribes to the two policemen for failing to have a license and wearing a helmet; "glad handing" a customs officer for turning a blind eye to the importation of broadcast equipment; and being swindled by a number of Bali moneychangers.